US-based pharma company Novavax and Takeda Pharmaceutical have joined forces for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of NVX‑CoV2373, the former’s COVID‑19 vaccine candidate, in Japan.

NVX‑CoV2373 is said to be a stable, prefusion protein produced by using the recombinant protein nanoparticle technology of Novavax. The coronavirus vaccine candidate also contains the company’s Matrix‑M adjuvant.

Takeda Pharmaceutical is set to get funding from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for supporting the transfer of technology, setting up of infrastructure and scaling up of manufacturing. The Japanese pharma giant expects the capacity to manufacture more than 250 million doses of the NVX‑CoV2373 COVID-19 vaccine candidate per year.

Stanley C. Erck – President and CEO of Novavax said: “Takeda’s leading position in Japan, technical expertise, regulatory know-how and manufacturing capacity make the company an ideal partner to further expand the global availability of NVX‑CoV2373.

“We look forward to collaborating with Takeda to rapidly develop, produce and commercialize the vaccine in Japan.”

Takeda Pharmaceutical strikes deal with Novavax to bring the latter’s NVX‑CoV2373 COVID-19 vaccine to Japan. Photo courtesy of J o/Wikipedia.org.

The two pharma companies are partnering on manufacturing, clinical development, and regulatory activities for the coronavirus vaccine candidate in Japan. For this, Novavax will license and transfer manufacturing technologies to its Japanese partner enabling to manufacture the vaccine antigen besides supplying it the Matrix-M adjuvant.

As per the terms, Takeda Pharmaceutical will take care of the regulatory submission to the MHLW and will produce and distribute the NVX‑CoV2373 vaccine in Japan post-approval.

Rajeev Venkayya – President of Takeda Pharmaceutical Global Vaccine Business Unit said: “Nothing is more important right now than protecting the world against COVID-19. We are excited to collaborate with Novavax to bring their promising vaccine candidate to Japan.

“Today’s announcement builds upon our ongoing support of pandemic preparedness and demonstrates Takeda’s commitment to the health and well-being of the Japanese population.”

Novavax will be eligible to get payments from its Japanese partner based on the meeting of certain development and commercial milestones, along with a part of proceeds from the NVX‑CoV2373 COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

Last month, Novavax signed an agreement with FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies (FDB), a US-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), for the manufacturing of bulk drug substance for NVX-CoV2373.

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